Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Lipid-Lowering Agents Pregnancy: Available data in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. As an IgG monoclonal antibody evolocumab crosses the placenta (transport increases especially near term), so it has the potential to be transmitted from mother to fetus.

Evolocumab

Brand names: Repatha

Evolocumab is a subcutaneously injected monoclonal antibody (a PCSK9 inhibitor) used to lower LDL-cholesterol in primary hypercholesterolaemia, mixed dyslipidaemia and familial hypercholesterolaemia, and for cardiovascular risk reduction.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 140 mg every 2 weeks OR 420 mg once monthly
Route: Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm (rotate injection sites)
Frequency: Every 2 weeks (140 mg) or once monthly (420 mg)
Product REPATHA (US labelling). Adults at increased risk for CV events or with hypercholesterolaemia: 140 mg every 2 weeks OR 420 mg once monthly. Adults and paediatric patients aged 10 years and older with HeFH: same regimen (140 mg every 2 weeks OR 420 mg once monthly) — flat dose, not per kg. Adults and paediatric patients aged 10 years and older with HoFH: initial 420 mg once monthly, may be increased to 420 mg every 2 weeks if a clinically meaningful response is not achieved in 12 weeks; patients on lipid apheresis may initiate 420 mg every 2 weeks to correspond with their apheresis schedule, given after the apheresis session is complete. If switching dosage regimens, give the first dose of the new regimen on the next scheduled date of the prior regimen. The 420 mg dose is administered either over 5 minutes using the single-dose on-body infusor with prefilled cartridge, or as 3 injections given consecutively within 30 minutes using the prefilled single-dose autoinjector or syringe. Missed dose: within 7 days, administer and resume the original schedule; more than 7 days after a missed every-2-week dose, wait until the next scheduled dose; more than 7 days after a missed once-monthly dose, administer and start a new schedule from that date. Assess LDL-C when clinically appropriate — the LDL-lowering effect may be measured as early as 4 weeks after initiation; for the 420 mg monthly regimen measure LDL-C just prior to the next scheduled dose. Safety and effectiveness are not established in paediatric patients with HeFH or HoFH younger than 10 years old, or in paediatric patients with other types of hyperlipidaemia — verify paediatric use against a children's formulary. Prefilled autoinjector/syringe presentations may contain dry natural rubber (latex derivative) in the needle cover; consider a latex-free presentation for latex-sensitive individuals. Allow to reach room temperature before use (at least 30 minutes for autoinjector/syringe, at least 45 minutes for the on-body infusor).

Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

  • History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to evolocumab or any of the excipients (serious hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema have occurred)

Side effects

  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Influenza
  • Back pain
  • Injection site reactions
  • Diabetes mellitus (reported in patients with established cardiovascular disease)

Clinical monograph

How it works

It binds and inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), preventing degradation of hepatic LDL receptors so that more receptors recycle to the cell surface and clear LDL-cholesterol from the blood.

Prescribing in practice

  • It is usually added to a maximally tolerated statin (with or without ezetimibe) rather than used alone, and is prescribed within NICE-defined LDL thresholds and risk categories.
  • Given by self-administered subcutaneous injection that should be rotated between sites; injection-site reactions are the commonest adverse effect.
  • Pre-filled pens require correct cold-chain storage and should be allowed to reach room temperature before injecting.

Monitoring

Check lipid profile to confirm LDL-cholesterol response, with routine review of adherence and injection technique.

Counselling the patient

  • Rotate injection sites and expect occasional redness or soreness where you inject.
  • Keep the pens in the fridge and let one warm to room temperature before use.
  • Continue your statin and other heart medicines unless told otherwise.

Evidence & guidelines

NICE recommends PCSK9 inhibitors such as evolocumab for eligible patients, supported by the FOURIER trial showing reduced cardiovascular events.

Reference: FOURIER trial NEJM 2017; 376(18):1713-1722; NICE TA394; ESC/EAS Lipid Guidelines 2019; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.